Following its sweep of the midterm elections, the Democratic party will assume leadership of the U.S. Congress in January, enabling a shift in the legislative balance of power for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer announced that the incoming majority will utilize its control over federal spending to press for an end to the war in Iran, as well as launch investigations and court actions to challenge the administration whenever it defies the law.
The victory marks the first time since 1926 that an opposition party flipped more than four Senate seats in states the president won by 10 points or more, with Democrats overall securing a 54-44 majority in the chamber. Hakeem Jeffries will become House Speaker alongside Schumer’s transition to Senate Majority Leader. Candidates outperformed polling projections by an average of 4.4 to 5 points in several key races, including comfortable wins in rural strongholds like Kansas and Texas.
